Ancelotti: “We are as motivated as ever to fight until the end"

“It has been a tough matchday for all three teams at the top of the league and now the championship is more open than ever”, the Italian manager added in the pressroom.

Carlo Ancelotti lamented not being able to make the most of the opportunity to move three points closer to first place in La Liga, although he was adamant that his side will continue to fight for the title: “La Liga is a tough division, as it always has been. It will be decided in the last few games, like I've always said. It has been a tough matchday for all three teams at the top of the league and now the championship is more open than ever”.

“The players weren't happy at the end because we went out to win. But we are still as motivated and eager as ever to continue fighting for the La Liga title until the end of the season. There are three games remaining and in order to have a chance of lifting the title we have to win all of them. It won't be easy, we have two away games, but we will fight tooth and nail to win them. I think the referee was poor today”.

The team's energy
“We lacked physical presence. The same thing happened to Atlético and Chelsea. It is normal to lack a bit of intensity after playing in the Champions League and that has cost us here today. Now we have to play on Wednesday and I don't think that will be to our disadvantage. We are used to playing every three days. I think we'll play better on Wednesday than we have done today”.

THERE ARE THREE GAMES REMAINING AND WE HAVE TO WIN ALL OF THEM.

“We were great during the opening 15 minutes, and had a lot of chances. Then things started to get more difficult. Valencia played on Thursday but were mentally fresh because they didn't have to deal with the same amount of pressure as Real Madrid. Once they scored it became more difficult for us. We fought hard, but lacked quality”.

Wasted opportunity?
“We missed a good opportunity, but it's not the end of the world. By winning today, Atlético would have needed a win in Barcelona but now a draw would be enough for them. Cristiano's goal was very important. Losing today would have meant losing La Liga. Now we're still in the fight. It was a crucial goal”.

Illarra and the left backs
“I don't think Illarra played well in the first half, but he still has as good a chance as before of playing in the final. Marcelo has already recovered. Both of them are fighting for a place in the final and the decision will be made on the last day. It's a decision that I have to make. I have a lot of faith in Marcelo and Coentrão.